Broncos take Western Kentucky DE Quanterus Smith at #146

After moving back to #146 from #125, the Broncos chose Western Kentucky pass-rushing end Quanterus Smith as their first of two fifth-round picks on Saturday.

Smith suffered a torn ACL last November, and thus did not perform at the combine or the Hilltoppers' pro day.

In ten games as a senior, Smith racked up 12.5 sacks, which is a Sun Belt Conference single-season record; his 24 sacks at WKU have him tied for the conference's career record. At 1.25 sacks per game, Smith got opposing quarterbacks down at a faster rate than anyone in the country.

The 6-5, 250-lb. end, the Sun Belt's DPOY for 2012, had five sacks in one game against Florida International, which gives him the mark for the second most in any game in NCAA history.

He also had 3.5 sacks against Arkansas State and three more against Alabama, one of them a speed rush versus Crimson Tide tackle D.J. Fluker, who was chosen by San Diego with the 11th overall pick.

In Denver, Smith will have the opportunity to extend Fluker's nightmare to a semiannual event.